Why is the Advent candle for week 2 known as Bethlehem’s candle? Bishop Gruss reflects

A blessed Advent to you all. We begin week two by lighting Bethlehem’s Candle, which symbolizes faith. Micah foretold that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem, so this candle puts the focus on the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem in anticipation of the birth of the Christ child.Many people in our culture today live as if “this” is all there is, nothing more beyond this life. Others live as if faith is just a theory or a philosophy.Frederick Nietzsche said that “faith is the path of least resistance.”  Even Christians are challenged when it comes to living a life of faith. How many of us have doubts at times? How many of us lack in trusting the Lord with our lives?Don’t we sometimes try to manage our lives on our own?So how do we move beyond ourselves and truly surrender our lives to the Lord?I offer a couple of suggestions for this season of Advent.First of all, faith is an encounter with the person of Jesus Christ. Faith is what unites us with the living God who has revealed himself to us in his son Jesus.In the words of our Holy Father, “Faith is to touch Jesus and to draw from him the grace which saves.” When we fix our gaze upon the loving eyes of Jesus, then our faith, as well as our hope, remain firmly rooted.Faith is only deepened through a daily, prayerful relationship with Jesus.  Take time daily in earnest prayer with the Lord. Ask Him for the grace of surrender. St. James writes, “Faith without works is dead.” A faith without works, a faith that doesn’t engage us, that doesn’t lead us to witness, isn’t faith.  As our faith in God grows and deepens, we cannot help ourselves from doing ‘good works’.  It’s impossible!Loving God and our neighbor is the Great commandment. When we are in love with the Lord, we will be in love with his people, and when we love someone, we want to help them.During this season of Advent, who is Jesus asking you to share your faith with through acts of charity? Do you know anyone who is lonely and needs a helping hand? Take the time to share your faith with others. Many do not have faith and may never have faith for this simple reason: no one has been ready and willing to share their faith with them.Perhaps even as you are listening to this message, the Holy Spirit has brought someone to your mind. Bring the gift of Advent to them.And, don’t forgot to pray each day this week for the virtue of faith to come alive in you.May God bless you!Bishop Robert Gruss“Be on guard, stand firm for the faith, be courageous, be strong. Your every act should be done with love.” (1 Cor. 16:13-14)